daschie

My husband, sister in law and I will be in Scotland from 8/24 through 9/3 (flying home 9/4). So far I have purchased tickets to the Tattoo in Edinburg for 8/24, and reserved our lodging through 8/28. Now, we would love to visit the Isle of Iona. The Inn I've found has a 2 night minimum stay. I'm trying to set up a plan to tour the countryside of Scotland eventually ending up in Oban and taking a bus to Mull then the foot ferry,ending up in Iona for 2 nights then returning to Edinburg to return home. So, from the 28th of August till the 2nd of September, I'm trying to fill in our time. I was thinking St Andrews for a night, then maybe Perth, or Stirling, then work our way over to Oban. We'd also like to take in a bit of Glasgow. Anybody have some suggestions here, I greatly appreciate your help.

Thanks!!

janisj

Are you renting a car? If so . . I'd take the car on the ferry to Mull, drive around seeing the sites of the island (castles, some amazing beaches, etc). Park the car in Fionnphort and take the foot ferry over to Iona. (If the lodging on Iona doesn't work for your dates -- there is a great little B&B in Fionnphort. It isn't on Iona but you wake up in the morning w/ a view of the Abbey across the sound.

While on Iona/Mull, be sure to take a boat out to Fingal's cave/Staffa.

St Andrews and Fife are very nice . . but they are entirely across the country from Oban. They are certainly doable, but I'd maybe stay to the west side. Perthshire, to the Trossachs, to Argyll/Kilmartin and then Oban.

sheila

Yes, I think it depends if you're doing this all by public transport or if you are driving.

GreenDragon

zi drvonf jsnisj's suggestions. Fionnphort is a great little stop. We stayed at the B&B there (Seaview?), and it's lovely. Fingal's Cave is fantastic, definitely worth a trip. There is a nice seafood restaurant in Bunrassan that has wonderful food.

The west side of the country has lots to explore. Plenty to keep you busy!

GreenDragon

That should be 'I second janisj's suggestions'. I think my hand was one key over

janisj

GD: I thought you were speaking Lithuanian

GreenDragon

zi rbifrnyly esd!

ESW

You won’t need a car in Edinburgh as public transport is good and parking a nightmare.

Do a day trip to Glasgow from Edinburgh. There are plenty of trains.

Stirling (if you are just thinking of the castle and town) can also be done on the train from Edinburgh. It is a good service.

St Andrews is delightful and about 80 minutes drive from Edinburgh. It can be done by train and bus from Edinburgh.
Perth is about an hours drive from St Andrews or Edinburgh.

I wouldn’t really bother about overnights here.

One suggestion would be to hire a car and drive from Edinburgh to St Andrews and spend the morning here. After lunch drive to Oban via Perth. This takes just under three hours. (Have a look at google maps for details).

Spend the night in Oban and catch the ferry to Mull next morning. Take your car - expensive but it will give you chance to see something of Mull. Get the ferry to Iona and drop out on Iona for 2 nights.

Then drive back to Edinburgh and drop off the car.